Dear Parents,
My name is Dr. Ritika Anand, and I am the new Principal at this wonderful school. I would like to take this opportunity to extend a very warm welcome to you all. I eagerly look forward to working in close partnership with you to ensure the best provision for our children in a happy, safe and nurturing environment.
Let me start this first communication with you by introducing myself. I am a dynamic educational professional with more than fourteen years of experience in various leadership roles in very well-established British Curriculum schools in Dubai where I have been highly successful in providing an inspiring learning experience through inclusive, innovative and transformational leadership leading to continuously improving educational standards over the past many years in line with the Nation’s and school’s aspirations priorities aligned to International standards and best practices in all phases of the school including Early Years and Primary.
I have a Ph.D in Chemistry and started my career teaching University students in India and then IGCSE, AS and A level students in Dubai. From then I have held various leadership roles which have been highly instrumental in building a firm foundation of the expectations of the British curriculum.
I have a beautiful family comprising my mother, my husband and two lovely teenage daughters aged 17 and 14. We have been living in the UAE for the past 18 years and deeply appreciate the high quality of life this country offers – with safety, respect for all cultures and multi fold opportunities, which we now fondly call home.
I am an avid reader and gardener as both these pursuits bring immense joy to me and help me to connect with myself. I am very passionate about scientific and technological developments in society and follow them very closely and always try to up skill myself to benefit, personally and professionally, from their positive impact.
It didn’t take me long to appreciate that DePS is an amazing school, with limitless opportunities. The facilities are great, there is ample space, great sports areas, well-equipped classrooms and labs, and very good outdoor spaces, in short, a very-well developed infra-structure. What is even more important is that the vision of the school resonates with my educational philosophy, not only focusing on the academic development of students, but also on their social-emotional development, in a values and skills based environment where happiness and well-being are a priority, which to me, is important.
But most importantly, DePS has a wonderful community of students, parents and staff. As bricks do not make a great school, but people do. DePS is blessed with sta that is committed, dedicated to the well-being of its students, knowledgeable and caring. And last, but not least, DePS, has a very supportive school parent community which I am looking forward to partnering with.
At this point I would like to thank my predecessor, Mr. Neil Morris, as well as the previous team, for their significant role and contributions to the school and during the transition time, which, as a result, makes me feel that I know so much about DePS already, and has helped me greatly ensuring a smooth start. We will build on the many excellent practices that the school has and take it further to provide an enhanced, enriched, immersive and personalized learning experience to our children where they will thrive and achieve their maximum potential in all areas of learning as well as personal and social development.
I am ably supported by a highly experienced, qualified and effective leadership team, each of which has already transformed their areas of responsibility and raised expectations of everyone in the school. Our new and returning teachers have merged well in to an extremely e ective team, working together to ensure that the curriculum and the quality of teaching meets the needs of all students and challenges them to learn to their full potential with a holistic approach based on growth mind-set and values-based education leading to a happy, creative, enterprising, empathetic, collaborative, solution-focused, innovation-driven, globally-responsible and technologically-proficient continuously learning community.
As a parent myself, I know how important it is for parents to know that their child is in a safe and loving environment and I assure you that you will be sending them to the most caring and happy school with the best of high quality British education for every child, every single day.
From the onset, I eagerly seek and welcome your feedback / suggestions to best serve the community.
I have an open door policy and would love to hear from you. Please reach out to me at principal@deiraprivateschool.ae.
Wishing the entire DePS community a happy, safe and successful new academic year ahead!
Warmest regards,
Dr. Ritika Anand
Principal
Deira Private School